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Bridesmaids dress inspiration—Looks from the past to the present

Bridemaids

How many of you brides have been searching for inspiration in your mother’s wedding album when choosing your bridesmaids dresses? Not many, I believe!

There is no surprise here, for bridesmaids dresses weren’t always inspiring in the past! We have all heard notorious tales of dresses that resembled cotton candy and fabrics that would be better off as drapes!

Nonetheless, we live in a time when many things from the past seem to reappear on the wedding scene. From heirloom wedding dresses to vintage themes, décor and classic venues, couples have embraced many elements  from weddings of the past. While this trend continues, it is only right that we visit bridesmaids dresses inspired by fashions from the past.

Today, we will look at bridesmaids dresses that are suitable for different vintage eras. I found this article on the Bustle extremely helpful with this.  It gives us a clear idea of the trends that were most happening during the past, with some really interesting pictures to support it. Let us try to find inspiration in these dress styles and locate dresses from our current bridesmaids collections to reinvent the look. One thing we can assure you is that they will not look out of place in the modern wedding scene. So, let’s begin!

The 1850’s

Women’s clothing in this era was rather elaborate, with corsets and wide skirts supported by hoops and crinoline. The ball gown was a popular dress style in evening wear and formal dresses. Your bridesmaids may not appreciate being weighed down in a heavy ball gown dress at your wedding, nor is it appropriate. Nonetheless, there are other dress features from the Victorian era that you can easily incorporate into your bridesmaids looks. Here they are.

Low-necked and off-the-shoulder styles were big hits during this era. Many designer collections today feature these in their bridesmaids dresses. Here are some!

The dress has the opulence and fitted bodice style that is reminiscent of the 1850’s. However, the fitted silhouette continues into the skirt, allowing for easy movement. The off-the-shoulder neckline and details in the bodice are suitable for a Victorian vibe.

The Angelina Faccenda 20453 dress features an off-the-shoulder neckline and has embellishments on the dropped sleeves. The criss-cross bodice results in an empire waistline. The ruchings in the front continue into the back of the dress as well.

Early 19th century

During the Edwardian era, defined waistlines were created using tight fitting corsets. The ideal female figure resembled a pigeon-structure. This was characterized by an upper body that thrust forward, while the hips and bust were emphasized by a thin waistline. An air of opulence defined most dress styles. Frilly embellishments like ruffles, lace and floral details were very popular. By the year 1910, the empire line was preferred over the corset. Pastels were preferred for daytime dresses, while dark, deep rich colors were chosen for formal evening wear. Here are some dresses that recreate this effect in bridesmaids dresses.

Here is a dress from the Mori Lee Bridesmaid collection with a well-defined waistline and structured silhouette. The dress has plenty of lace embellishments strewn throughout the length. These add an air of finesse. The satin waistband defines the waistline and the full-length makes it suitable for a formal wedding ceremony. 

This dress from the Jasmine dress collection has full-length sleeves and a defined waistline. Although there is no corset detail, the silhouette is structured and fits tightly against the natural curves. The full-length sleeves are actually a removable shrug. This feature also gives the dress a two-in-one look. The embellished bodice has details that compare with the luxurious finishes of Edwardian dresses.

The 1930’s

Most dress silhouettes had one striking detail in this era—tiered skirts. This is a dress feature that many wedding dress designers have openly embraced and included in wedding gowns. Although there are few bridesmaids dresses with this feature, it is attractive when present. Huge collars were another big fashion feature in this decade. Here are our picks that bring back these styles.

A modern-style tiered A-line dress, this Mori Lee 123 brings tiers to life, albeit in contemporary style. Gentle tiers are fashioned in chiffon to create an almost rippling effect and a smart silhouette, unlike the over-the-top dress styles that were popular in the 1930’s.

Inspired by the elaborate collars that were the highlight of the 1930’s, this After Six bridesmaid dress is a very stylish variation of this style. A ruffled overlay drops off the halter-neckline over the fitted silhouette, making this florentine lace gown a vintage beauty.

Sassy, stylish short dresses in 1950

Short, but voluminous skirts were stylish in the 1950’s. These added a youthful vibe to the overall look. Although short, the dresses usually featured layers of taffeta and net that formed buoyant skirts. Bows were an essentially important detail at this time. This feature, in fact, found its way to not just dresses, but even hats. Let’s take a look at some of the dresses from our collection which bring back the memories of this era.

Here is a tulle dress with a bouncy skirt that was a favorite in the 1950’s. Perhaps a tad shorter than was the norm, this dress has a thick voluminous skirt that is still acceptable to the modern woman.

 

This dress from the After Six Bridesmaid collection features a bodice that has a different color than in the skirt. This was an essentially common feature in the dress styles of the years we discussed about. The defined waistline and smart silhouette with the halter neck are smart and will suit the women today, as they did back then.

1960’s poufy dresses and sheath silhouettes

In the beginning of the decade, many brides chose to dress their bridesmaids in shiny dresses with voluminous skirts. Silky sateen finishes were popular, so the look reflected opulence and luxury. As the decade progressed, the silhouettes slimmed and the sheath was the chosen style for most women. The white glove was an accessory that rendered itself to any dress-style.

This dress from the Mori Lee Bridesmaid collection has a layered net skirt and is in a rich color that was popular in the 1960’s. Even so, the dress has the poufy look that characterized formal dress styles at the time. Imagine this dress when worn with a pair of pristine white gloves. That should give you a clear idea of what we mean.

As women stepped out of corsets and stiffly structured dress silhouettes, the sheath became the favorite. Here is a sheath silhouette from the Angelina Faccenda collection, with all the glitz and glamour that reflects the style of the 1960’s. The cap sleeve and accessories like hats and white gloves worked well with this design.

Vibrant and colorful 1970s

Patterns and prints in big and bold proportions entered the fashion scene in the 1970s. Appliques and patchworks as well as vibrant, colorful designs were trendy at this time. Dresses flowed to full length and loosely draped around the natural silhouette.

This dress from the Alfred Sung collection could easily pass off as an original from the 1970s. With bright floral prints on a loose silhouette, the colors on the dress stand out. While it would look good at a garden wedding today, you would have seen it any type of wedding in those days.

The After Six Bridesmaids 6556 is a dress with a variety of colors that recreate the 1970s vibe. Despite a fitted waistband, the dress is loose flowing and comfortable with its soft fabric and drape.

The rich and flamboyant style of the 1980s

With the 1980’s the entire fashion scene underwent significant change. Everything was done in bigger and bolder proportions. As hairstyles grew bigger and shine and shimmer was seen in the makeup and accessories, outfits were generally colorful, lively and unusually interesting.

Everything about this dress from the Jasmine Bridal collection, including the color, fit, ruffles, drape and even the sleeves are signature features. This is a style that is typical of the 1980’s. The interesting part is that the dress is interesting in the back as well, with a V-neck formed of bell sleeves.

Here’s another dress from the Dessy Bridesmaid collection that would pass off as a suitable choice for the 1980’s. The dress has loose sleeves that were a characteristic feature of those days. The silhouette, although fitted, is one that flows loosely without too much structure. The criss-cross detail in the bodice and the shimmering waistband are toned-down versions of popular dress details that added to the 1980’s appeal.

Fashion in the 2000’s

With the new century, fashion began diverging in different directions. Unpredictability reigned high, as everyone sought unique styles. No longer did brides choose cookie cutter weddings nor bridal parties that were similar to those seen at other weddings. There was a general mash-up of styles and this added to the appeal of bridesmaids outfits. Metallics, neutrals and casual styles became part of mainstream fashion.

 

Stylish, elegant and figure-flattering, this is a dress that the women in 2000’s would quickly approve of. The sweetheart neckline is delightfully feminine, and has a romantic appeal. The neckline drapes to one side and pinches at the side, with a layered look. The shimmering color is attractive, but distinct from the typical shiny dresses seen in the years leading up to the 21st century.

This dress is from the Alfred Sung Collection and is a sateen twill dress. Tastefully designed with a gentle sheer scoop neckline over a sweetheart bodice, the dress has an A-line shape. The length gives it a smart look. Despite its simplicity, this is a beautiful dress that will appeal to almost anyone. Another good thing about this dress is that it doesn’t need too many accessories.

And finally this decade

Fashion has grown by leaps and bounds in the second decade of this century. Every year brings in it’s wake new and interesting changes on the fashion scene. With the evolution of wedding fashion, changes have arrived in the world of bridesmaids dresses too. Brides now recognize the individuality of the women in their bridal party and consider matching bridesmaids outfits boring and unnecessary.

Hence there are few rules that define bridesmaids fashion these days. It is as unique as the wedding, woman and theme itself. Mix and match bridesmaids dresses is no longer just a trend, but is considered an essential part of a wedding. Over the last few years we have seen everything from color-block prints to rich jewel colors and pastels rule the scene at different points of time.


The revival of traditional elements like lace, vintage elements like ruffles and accessories have all arrived and stayed on.

 

Bridesmaids dresses with bold elements like 3-d florals, geometric patterns and oversize embellishments add a modern effect to unconventional wedding themes.

Both loose drapes that resemble masculine styles, as well as soft, feminine romantic styles have appeared on the wedding scene. So, it is hard to predict what a bride expects when she goes shopping for her bridal party outfits.

At Best for Bride, you can find dresses of every style, fitting every era and matching the uniqueness of your bridesmaids. To take a closer look at any of the dresses featured here and to check out more options, make sure to visit our bridesmaid dress collections here. Find all the inspiration and information you need to make your wedding vision a reality though our bridesmaids collections.

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Fashion Advice: Most Flattering Necklines For Your Bridesmaids Dresses

Fashion Advice: Most Flattering Necklines For Your Bridesmaids Dresses

One of the primary focal points of every dress is the neckline. Choosing the right neckline will draw focus to the beauty of the natural facial features of the wearer and enhance the overall appearance of the dress style selected. In addition, it will draw attention to the most attractive features or camouflage the less desirable traits when chosen appropriately.

When choosing bridesmaids’ dresses, choosing a single dress is no longer stylish for your entire bridal party. This is because your girls won’t be the same size or have the same body shape. So instead, we suggest you consider a range of options and mix and match dresses to suit the individual traits of each of the girls in your bridal party.

One good mix and match option is to vary the dress’s neckline while keeping the colours or silhouette constant for the entire group. This gives the group a super-stylish and modern look. It is easy, as most collections offer the same shade for several dresses. So you can find suitable silhouettes and necklines for each of your bridesmaids while keeping the colour uniform.

This guide looks at the most flattering neckline styles for different body types. Use this advice to choose the best neckline styles for your bridesmaid’s dresses. We are sure it will help you come one step closer to making your bridesmaids happy with your dress choices.

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14 ideas to incorporate stripes into your wedding

In a previous post, we discussed how patterns like the polka dot can quickly and effectively liven up any wedding scene. Whether patterns form the central wedding theme, or are used as an accent to the main colors, they are a pleasant addition. Some patterns like stripes can be used everywhere, from the wedding cake to the bridesmaids dresses and rest of the décor.

Stripes are an interesting update to any wedding color scheme. When it is done in moderation, this pattern has the ability to add sophistication and make a color combination more attractive. Depending on the colors and width of stripes that are chosen, stripes can make a scene look more serious, casual or contemporary. Small pin stripes and big bold colored stripes have a casual feel, while softly colored stripes have a stylish effect. Hence it is a pattern to consider using at your wedding.

Check out our top ten ideas here, on how you can add this interesting detail into your wedding.

1.Glamorous invitation card with pops of red against subtle gold stripes

We like the idea of doing it big with stripes. Featured here is a beautiful and captivating invitation card with tropical red and orange colors stretching across a white base. A foil accent in gold is all it takes to transform this interesting card to something fantastic. As taupe and tango sizzle along the breadth of this card, the rippling effect is simply mesmerizing. We are sure that a card like this will be loved by your guests, and will set the excitement buzzing for all that is store on your big day. This invitation is an online exclusive from our Best for Bride wedding invitation collection. Customization options for both the bands of color and the foil accents are available, so you can find the color that matches your theme best. To find out more about this card, or to place your order, continue on to this link here.

stripes invite

2.Delightfully delicious striped cake

Simple in it’s elegance, but stunning in appearance, this wedding cake from the Natalya cake collection at Best for Bride is a work of beauty. As brown and white stripes offset each other on the softly curved cake layers, the flowers add a beautiful dimension to them. Creating big bold stripes on wedding cake is literally a “piece of cake.” So, while your wedding guests indulge in this delicious looking desert, you can be happy at having a grand cake on a budget. If you are searching for inspiration on how to perfect the stripe details on your wedding cake, take a look at this page on the Cake Geek website. There is a bounty of wonderful images you can draw ideas from.

Striped-Chocolate

3.Signature stripes coasters

We strongly believe that the best things come in little packages. Add the befitting finishing touches to your wedding décor with striped coasters, customized with your name and event details. Shown here in a teal and black ink finish, you can see how stylish this little detail can be at your wedding. The interesting pinstripe and crest design can be customized with the colors you like. Whether you use it as party décor or favors to share with your guests, it adds that perfect little striped detail to your big event.

pinstripe coaster

4.Beautiful birch tree guest book

You do not always have to do stripes all the way for the intended impact. Add a unique and unusual touch to your wedding, with this guest book featuring a birch tree motif on the side. The resemblance of the weathered trees in the picture to vertical stripes is evident, even while it is more attractive with it’s picturesque details. With a cute bird detail on the textured cover, this book allows you to collect up to 100 guest signatures in the available space. It will undoubtedly be a valuable keepsake that looks just as beautiful as the messages that it will contain within. To find out more about this product, or to place your order, visit our wedding website here.

brich tree guest book

5.Diagonal stripe place card

Black and white is one of the most preferred combinations for stripe designs, apparently because of the ease with which it is available. Featured here is a diagonal stripe place card, that will spruce up the table with the place card arrangement at your wedding. Not only will it easily blend into any wedding color palette, it will also be a small detail that subtly gels in without being too noisy or cluttered. This product belongs to our section for additional accessories for weddings. You can find out more details about it, as well as place your order at this link.

stripe place card

6.Stripe straws for all your party beverages

One easy and inexpensive way to add this small detail to your overall wedding service décor is to use striped straws for your beverages. With this little element, they will not only taste, but also look refreshing, when you dress them up with pretty striped straws that match your overall color theme. Guaranteed to last through refills, these will serve your guests throughout the reception. Available in eight custom colors, you can either use the same color on all your choices, or mix it up for an interesting variation on the general look. Either way it is a small detail that will not go unnoticed. Read more about how you can place your order for these, by visiting this link.

striped straws

7.Striped treat bags

If you have a candy buffet at your wedding reception, these striped treat bags are a cool way to add a little extra striped detail into the scene. While being a practical and fun choice, they are also pretty enough to add a pop of color to your overall table décor. You can also fill them up with treats beforehand, and seal the neck with a ribbon bow. Add a self sticking adhesive label with the details of the event, and they are ready to be distributed and taken home. Like the striped straws, these are also available in a range of colors, and allow you plenty of choice to find one that will match your wedding color palette. Check out this link to find out what the color options and the price details are.

treat bags

8.Striped shirt and plain tie, or the other way around

Don’t leave your bridegroom out of the picture, as stripes are a design detail that he can easily carry off. Unlike polka dots or chevron, it doesn’t look odd when a man chooses to wear a striped piece of clothing for a formal occasion, like his own wedding. Either choose a striped shirt and a plain silk tie, or the reverse; a plain shirt and striped tie. Either way, you will not have any difficulty finding these choices, as stripes is a detail that rules almost everything in the men’s fashion department. The bonus here is that your groom can easily make up for the fact that you cannot wear a striped wedding dress. Well, a striped wedding dress would be stretching the theme a little too far, don’t you think?

stripe tie

9.Striped baker’s twine

For those brides who don’t want to spare any detail, here is the perfect striped accessory to wrap up your wedding favors or boxes with. Striped baker’s twine, available in a range of colors, makes it easy and interesting to add the finishing touches to your perfect party favors. Small, but pretty, these add instant vintage flair to your party packages. It can also be used as part of your wedding stationary, to wrap around envelopes. Available as spools of 100 meters each, you can choose from a variety of colors to find the one that best fits your wedding scenery. Take a closer look at this special product from our wedding favors and accessories collection, by visiting this link.

striped twine

10.Striped water bottle label

To make a theme work, every single detail counts. So, don’t spare attention to the water bottle labels that you employ at your wedding reception. The simple addition of these lined labels to the little refreshing bottles of water will make all the difference to bring together every single element at your wedding. The romantic floral motif at the corner of the label can be customized in any color of your choice, so it blends in with the overall color scheme. As you add a touch of flair to even the water bottles with custom self-adhesive labels, you are well on your way to making sure that every detail at your wedding is just right. Check out this product at the link to our wedding favors page.

water bottle label

11.Fun diagonal striped bunting

Buntings are a must-have at any celebration, and weddings are no exception to this rule. Make your wedding venue more festive with a bright and vibrant striped bunting in the colors of your choice. Hang this at the entrance, behind your buffet table, on the Mr. and Mrs. chair; basically wherever you think they will look good. You can customize the bunting with your choice of letters, and let it soar. The best part of this bunting is that it doesn’t come in the standard triangular shape that we so commonly see. It has a curly bracket border which makes it all the more prettier. Find out all about the colors that we offer and how you can place your order, by visiting our favors page.

bunting

12.Striped bridesmaids dress

It may not be a good idea for the bride to dress in stripes. Instead, have your bridesmaids in stripes. This bridesmaid dress in the popularly sought-after black and white classic combination belongs to the Alfred Sung bridesmaid dress collection at Best for Bride. This full-length sateen dress features a jewel neck and keyhole back. The full length skirt has a pleated finish and it also has pockets at the seams. Although it is a single piece dress, it resembles a two-piece dress and is an interesting choice to dress your bridesmaids in. The A-line design flatters most figures, and so it is likely that all your bridesmaids will be able to pull off this design without difficulty.

13.Wedding ring with stripes

Let your love for stripes accompany you on your married life forever, by being the design on your wedding ring. If you are genuinely fond of this design, consider having your wedding ring designed with a stripe design on it. Contemporary, yet timeless, this is a design that you will love for years, and it will never look dated. Either have black stripes done into silver or gold, or consider having metals in different colors clubbed through stripes for a whimsical finish.

Wedding ring with stripes
Image Credits:Bence Fordos, via Flickr

14.Stripe clutch for your bridesmaids

If not the bridesmaids dresses, choose to accessorize your bridesmaids with a striped clutch. This is the perfect way to add this subtle detail into their overall outfits. A striking combination will easily stand out against a bridesmaid dress in a solid color. It will also be a great gift for your bridesmaids, and one that they will find plenty of use for, later on. The clutch featured here is a signature design that has a number of striped panels that come together in a beautiful finish. Something as stellar as this textile bag can be one of the smaller gifts you may like to add to your bridesmaids gift hamper. We are sure this will be put to plenty of use due to its interesting finish and overall look.

Stripes galore clutch
Image Credits:Monica Leitao Mota, via Flickr

We hope this article gives you enough inspiration to plan your striped-wedding. For more wedding ideas, tips and advice, drop in regularly at our website. Also, find all the things that you need to plan the perfect wedding celebration at the Best for Bride online web store.

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Traditions out, innovations In—10 ways to make your wedding different!

Anyone…..yes anyone, can have a traditional wedding!

Most couples limit their experiments to the palette or decorations at the wedding, and play it safe. At times, this is all it takes to make the wedding memorable. At other times, it may be remembered for a while, but is then quickly burrowed in the memories of your guests when newer and more interesting things capture their attention.

So, how do you make sure that your wedding is remembered forever?

The only way is to do something entirely different and unexpected, that it settles permanently into the memories of all at your wedding. This isn’t too difficult, and here is all the help you need with ideas. Get ready for some inspiration, and build your own vision from what we have in store for you.

#1 Bride in color and bridesmaids in white

Image Credits: nicolas pascarel, via Wikimedia, CC BY 2.0

Let’s begin with the star of the show, the bride herself. The wedding dress has always had to be white. So, start by working against this itself. Now, we all know that colored wedding dresses are not a novelty, but you can make a drastically different statement style by putting all your bridesmaids in white, while you walk down the aisle in a beautiful colored gown. Imagine the scene! Don’t you feel that this will definitely be a winner? Choose the dominant color from your wedding color palette to get the look right. Dark hues like navy, red, purple, golden and black are all great choices.

If you are a bride who’s never really liked the idea of wearing white, we think this is a definite alternative for you to consider. And, with your bridesmaids in white, imagine how beautiful your wedding pictures will be with them in the backdrop of your wedding pictures. The best thing is that you will have no difficulty finding a fabulous gown in any color, from our wedding dress collection at Best for Bride. Our Alfred Angelo Disney collection features many stunning wedding gowns in a range of colors, and it is just one among the several other collections.

#2 Reconsider the rings

Fingerprint Ring
Image Credits: Rahul G S, via Flickr, CC BY 2.0

 We’ve seen enough bands in gold, silver and platinum. Many couples do not step away from tradition, where wedding bands are concerned. But, have you ever considered that your wedding ring should be a piece of jewelry that will forever appeal to you?

Most couples find it boring and totally uninteresting after a while, and you do not want that. Remember that once the original lustre wears off, there should be something that is interesting and always mysterious about your ring, so you want to wear it not because you have to, but because you really love it. Here are some suggestions to make your wedding band truly unique

  • Consider having a quote engraved on the inside, such that the quote is split into two and the halves go on either of your rings. It will be a special secret that the two of you can always enjoy, and an interesting extension of the fact that you both complete each other.
  • Choose a fingerprint ring, which is engraved with your beloved’s fingerprint on the inside. Just like your partner’s fingerprint is unique to him, so will this ring that is the symbol of your love.
  • The third option is to make it almost traditional with a gemstone, but do it differently where the choice of the stone is concerned. We suggest brilliant colored stones like saphire that make a statement appearance, or you can also consider chossing a different color like rose gold for your ring so it looks unique.

You can find more ideas for unique wedding rings at the Brilliant Earth website here.

#3 Rethink the bouquets

bling brooch bouquet
Image Credits: Tanya Hart, via Flickr, CC BY 2.0

Floral bouquets are beautiful and refreshing, but they are usually pretty expensive. Remember it is not only the bridal bouquet that you need for your wedding, you’ll also have to consider the price for bridesmaids bouquets, boutonnieres and any other floral décor that may be part of your wedding scenery. While you may not be able to do away with all the floral elements at your wedding, especially if your theme demands the presence of these natural beauties, you can still reduce your floral budget by looking at alternate choices where possible.

Start with the bridal bouquet. How about considering an alternate bouquet made from paper, dried flowers or even brooches and buttons for an unusual and attractive effect. Or you can hold on to a flower bouquet yourself, and have your bridesmaids march with paper flower bouquets, fabric bouquets or decorative bouquets instead. Non-floral bouquets can feature anything, from feathers to ferns, to look attractive and dramatic. We simply fell in love with this beautiful article on Popsugar, featuring 18 unusual bouquet designs. From artichokes and brooches, to pinwheels and ribbons, you will find some of the least unexpected items featured in these bouquets. So, do check it out.

#4 Skip the guest book

 

shadow box

 

The guest book isn’t necessary, as long as the essence of the overall idea isn’t lost. Nevertheless, it is an area where you can make it interesting by choosing an innovative and different approach. We love the idea of using a shadow box or wishing well, where your guests sign their names onto scrolls and drop it into the box, with their brief messages and well-wishes.

Featured here, is a shadow box with a heart motif that is both classic and relevant to any wedding theme. Once it is filled with the wishes from your guests on your wedding day, seal it up and make it a permanent display in your new home. You can even consider hanging it up, if that is what looks better in your home. To check out this guest book alternative, or look at the various other options we have, we suggest you visit this page on our website.

#5 Replace dinner plates with cardboard boxes

 

box

 

You know how exciting it is to eat pizza out of a takeaway box! Let your guests enjoy the same, by making your casual wedding party a hit with boxes in place of plates. Not only will it be a feature that nobody can ever forget, it will also create that informal and fun effect that a casual wedding deserves. You can always do it in style, by having specially created custom boxes with your initials or a special logo that matches the wedding theme. If you want something more classic, consider replacing the plain cardboard boxes with something more ornate or with an intricate print like fine filigree or pretty damask details. It will be an interesting idea that will capture your guests interest immediately. Best suited for casual theme weddings, we can see how practical it will be at a beach or garden wedding. What do you say?

#6 Spice up the seating

 

-2037_Sunny_and_G_Wedding
Image Credits: Britt Nielsen, via flickr, CC BY 2.0

Continuing with the idea for boxes at a casual wedding above, you can take the effect even further by choosing different seating arrangements for your wedding. How about benches instead of chairs, that are so expected? Or consider having cosy couches in a cafe fashion arranged for a warm winter wedding. All these are so casual, that it will do most of the job of creating the casual ambiance that you aim for, at your wedding. Wooden benches would be perfect for a garden wedding, but you can really make them statement pieces if you choose them for an outdoor wedding where the benches will be placed in rows along a long table. It will be very informal, and perfect for a vintage theme. If you have this arrangement in a barn or gazebo, it will be both practical and interesting.

#7 Create your own signature drink instead of having an open bar

cocktail-919074_1920

One of the areas where couples spend a huge amount of money is the drinks that are served at the wedding. Save on the drinks budget, even while keeping your guests happy by serving one or two signature cocktail drinks that tie to the theme of your party. Make it interesting and festive with the addition of attractive color and garnishes that are too good to be ignored. Let the drinks glasses double up as party favors, by simply adding tags with your custom theme print or initials to it.

As long as you choose interesting drinks whose taste will go down well with the majority of the guests at the party, an open bar service will not be missed. Also, it will create a lasting impression. This interesting DIY guide on the Martha Stewart website will direct you to several impressive cocktails. So, check it out and find one that you favor.

#8 Find an alternative for the “bouquet” in the bouquet toss

dance

The bouquet toss has a long-standing tradition, and so may be difficult to actually “toss” off your wedding schedule. So, keep it in your plan, but make a variation. How about changing the idea of having your single friends line up in queue to battle for the bouquet? Instead consider gifting it to the couple at your wedding who has been married the longest number of years? This idea that we found on the Weddingpartyapp blog is just perfect, when we consider how meaningful it is. It suggests that there be a dance for all the married couples. As the Emcee announces the years in a progressive manner, the couples who have been married for that long can be eliminated from the dance floor. Continue in this manner, till there is the longest married couple on the dance floor. Now, all you have to do is gift them the wedding bouquet. How brilliant is that?

#9 A humorous ceremony program

program

Wedding ceremonies can be lovely to some, but most of us wouldn’t really mind skipping the long program, if we had a chance. Don’t frown upon guests like us at your wedding. Instead make their lives a lot easier by handing out a program that will keep them smiling throughout the ceremony.

We found a beautiful example on this article at the Weddingpartyapp website, and the very front page is bound to bring on a chuckle. Well, anything that says, “A Practical Guide to not falling asleep and Figuring out just what exactly is going on” has to top the list. Don’t you agree?

#10 Unusual wedding party favors

compass

Your wedding is unique, and so should your wedding favors. While some wedding favors look fancy and attractive to a guest, when they first receive it, few are good enough to be saved forever. So, when you choose a wedding party favor, make sure it is one that is rare in some aspect and it is likely that they will hold on to it. Here is an example from our collection at Best for Bride. Perfect for a travel-themed wedding, an adventurers compass is a trinket favor that is unusual in many ways. If not for the beautiful look, compasses are often associated with a bygone era and this makes it very interesting. Whether it is to simply be displayed in the house, or carried as a lucky charm by the adventurers at heart, it will be a different favor that will be special just because of what it is! It is not something that everyone will obviously own, but definitely one with an endearing appeal, so it will be kept.

There are so many brilliant ideas out there, to help you carve out your own signature wedding style. All it takes is that one special element to make your wedding memorable, and here we have provided you inspiration for ten. Hope you find this useful, and are able to use this as the starting point to planning your own fantastic wedding that will be remembered forever and ever!

For more wedding planning tips, advice and all your shopping needs, keep visiting us here at Best for Bride.